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Kitsap goes nuts for the Nutcracker | Kitsap Week

Clara is played by Robyn Harvey, an 8th grader at Poulsbo Middle School, in Irene's School of Dance's production of 'The Nutcracker' in Silverdale.

— image credit: Irene's School of Dance

Rowan Catel and Alexis Weisbarth began their roles in “The Nutcracker” as baby mice. The two Central Kitsap High School seniors were 6 and 7 years old, respectively, said InMotion owner Christine Price.

The two have climbed the ballet ladder. In InMotion’s production of “The Nutcracker” this year, Catel plays the Snow Queen. Weisbarth plays the Rose Queen and an Arabian. Nov. 25 will be their last performance with InMotion.

“It will be an emotional show,” Price said.

“The Nutcracker” will be performed throughout Kitsap in November and December.

InMotion Performing Arts Studio has the first showing Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the North Kitsap Auditorium. The performance is presented by Dance Ensemble Northwest, InMotion's ballet extension.

The performance funds Dance Ensemble, with 100 percent of money going back. It’s the only fundraiser the Ensemble does all year, Price said. Everyone performing in the production is in-house, even the male roles, which are often filled by people from Seattle, Price said.

The costumes are all handmade; work begins on the costumes in June. Price said, for example, a tutu takes about 60 hours to create. “The costumes are very detailed and clearly have a lot of love put into them,” Price said.

The production sticks to the traditional storyline, but changes each year, with varied choreography and cast.

This is the 17th year of the performance at the auditorium, which will be changed into a “winter wonderland,” Price said. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com/event/283142, or at the InMotion studio, 20101 Front St., Poulsbo.

If North Kitsap is too far of a drive, here are three additional opportunities to catch a performance of “The Nutcracker” in Central Kitsap:

Dance Arts Theater is celebrating its 25th anniversary of “The Nutcracker” performances. Performances will be held Nov. 24-25 in the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Show times: Nov. 24, 7 p.m.; and Nov. 25, 2 p.m.

Guest dancers include Lindsi Dec, soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet, who will perform the Snow Pas de Deux and the Sugar Plum Fairy; and Karel Cruz, principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, who will perform the Snow Pas de Deux and the Cavalier.

Tickets are $15. Seniors, students and children younger than 18 are $10. Prices for the reserved section are $18 if reserved, $20 at the door. General tickets available at brownpapertickets.com, Evergreen General Store, or Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. Reserved and general tickets available at Irene’s School of Dance. Group rates are available for organizations.

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